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Santa Barbara County Hazmat Responds to White Powder

Firefighters Conduct a Level B Entry.

Tuesday morning, the Santa Maria, California Fire Department responded to the American Automobile Association office in Santa Maria, after an employee reported finding a white powdery substance inside the envelope.

After arriving on scene, fire officials evacuated the office and called the Santa Barbara County Hazardous Materials Response team, which arrived around 1 p.m.

By 3:30 p.m., they were able to determine that the substance was not hazardous. What exactly the substance is, or where it came from, has yet to be determined

Posted by Gary Sharp on September 8, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, ems-topics, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, special-operations, white powder

Suspicious Odor Evacuates Florida Value Place Motel

Photo by Bruce Graner / bgraner@pnj.com

About 100 residents of the Value Place Motel in Escambia, Florida were evacuated into the streets while police, fire, and hazmat responders searched the hotel for the source of a suspicious stank. Responders feared the fumes may be from a meth lab in one of the hotel rooms. In the end, responders did not find the source of the mystery odor, and allowed the patrons to return to their rooms.

Posted by Gary Sharp on August 3, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, special-operations • Tagged: evacuation, fumes, hazmat, hazmat team, meth lab, odor, sick building, sick building syndrome

Crews Conduct a Level A Entry for a Chlorine Leak at a Virginia Water Treatment Plant

Waynesboro, VA public works crews reported a leak in a one-ton container of chlorine at the water treatment plant. The employees were able to shut the valve off as they evacuated the building. There were no reports of injuries.

Waynesboro fire department responded and dressed out responders in level A PPE.

NBC29.com reports ”Their actions in cutting the valve off, the only thing remaining to leak out in the system was what residual chlorine pressurized,” explained Kenny Hyden with the Waynesboro Fire Department. “By the time our crews were assembled in fully encapsulated suits and made entry into the building, there was no active chlorine leak at that point.”

Posted by Gary Sharp on August 3, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, special-operations • Tagged: B-kit, chlorine, chlorine kit, hazmat, hazmat team, leak, leak control, level A, one ton cylinder

Update: Mystery odor that brought out Hazmat and 85th CST caused by Lint

Firefighters, hazmat teams, and the Utah National Guard 85th WMD Civil Support Team were called in when a family noticed a “metallic burning smell” in their home. No one was ill, but a recent visit by an exterminator had responders taking no chances. You can read the original post about the incident here.

Once pesticide and other common causes were ruled out, responders continued to work through the night to determine the cause of the odor. The Davis County Clipper reports that responders were able to determine that the odor was caused by “a bit of dryer lint blocking an air inlet on the water heater”.

Read more: Davis County Clipper – Lint not WMD cause of Syracuse family’s evacuation

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 18, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: Civil Support Team, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, mystery odor, odor investigation

Truck Rolls and Leaks Hydrogen Peroxide.

A semi truck rolled over on the freeway in Romulus, Michigan. The truck was carrying an assortment of chemicals, including several totes of hydrogen peroxide; at least one of which leaked. The Western Wayne County Hazmat Team responded to the incident.

If your team uses the HazMatIQ System for size up and rapid research, click more to review how to size up Hydrogen Peroxide using the HazMatIQ System. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 15, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations, videos • Tagged: chemical spill, hazmat, hazmat team, HazMatIQ, hydrogen peroxide

“METALLIC BURNING SMELL” BRINGS HAZMAT AND CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM

Photo from Standard.net

A major hazmat response rolled into a Syracuse, Utah neighborhood after a family reported a “metallic burning smell” in their home, along with a propane/natural gas alarm sounding. No one in the home was reported as being sick. The fire department activated the Davis County Hazardous Materials Response Plan, which brought teams from Syracuse, Layton, South Davis Metro, Sunset, Hill Air Force Base and the Utah National Guard 85th Civil Support Team.

A pesticide had recently been applied outside to the home. Responders say they have ruled out the pesticide as a likely cause. The response raised fears that it could be a repeat of the Layton, UT incident, that killed two young children.

Posted by Gary Sharp on July 11, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: Civil Support Team, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, odor

Ammonia Leak at Frozen Food Plant Quickly Brought Under Control

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 13, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: anhydrous ammonia, evacuation, hazmat, hazmat team, leak

Chemical Explosion/Flash Fire Injures 3 Workers in Minneapolis

Workers were replacing the cap on an external tank, at Inerplastics when a flash fire occured, injuring 3 workers, one critically. The tank, which contained an acid-based product, was a quarter full and did not release any product. KARE11.com has the full story.

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 13, 2010 • Filed under: firefighting-operations, fires, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: acid, chemical fire, explosion, hazmat

Man Drinks Potassium Cyanide, 8 Responders Treated for Potential Exposure

TheDenverChannel.com

The Denver Post reports:

Nine people, including eight emergency responders, were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning after they were exposed to potassium cyanide.

A man made a cryptic, vague 911 call just before 9 a.m. saying he had cyanide in a glass of water. He did not give his identity, his location, nor his intention with the cyanide, said Aurora fire Capt. Allen Robnett. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 11, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: chemical spill, cyanide, hazardous materials, hazmat

Military Mustard Agent Suspected in Fisherman’s Mystery Illness

CBSNews.com Reports:

Did World War I-era mustard gas make the crew of a New Bedford clamming boat sick? That’s what investigators are trying to find out.

The crew of the E.S.S. Pursuit picked up at least 10 old military canisters as they were dragging the ocean floor clamming just south of Long Island Sunday. New Bedford fisherman Kevin O’Sullivan and another crew member handled one of the canisters as they threw them back into the ocean.

It broke open and exposed a fisherman named Costa, causing blistering on his arm and leg”He experienced immediate pain,” said O’Sullivan, who also had shortness of breath. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 9, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: CBRNE, CST, hazmat, hazmat team, mustard agent

2 Workers Burned by Sulfuric Acid in Arizona

Two employees at a Buckeye chemical plant were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after they were burned by sulfuric acid, officials said.

The men were taken to the burn unit at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix in stable condition, Buckeye Fire Chief Bob Costello said. They had “at least second-degree burns” on their heads and faces.

AZCentral has the full story.

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 9, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: acid, burns, hazmat, hazmat team, sulfuric acid

North Carolina State Capital Evac’d from White Powder

Authorities evacuated the Historic State Capitol building on Edenton Street Monday afternoon after finding a suspicious white powder. The powder was found in a small envelope addressed to the governor just before 3 p.m. by a staffer in a small area near her office. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on June 8, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat team, level B, white powder

Baltimore Hazmat Task Force Handles Weapon of Mass Disruption…Mercury

Baltimore City Fire Department’s Hazmat Task Force, including Hazmat 1, Decon 1, and several support units were sent to a Baltimore elementary school after students broke a thermometer(s). The students were in the auditorium practicing for graduation, when students playing with one or more thermometers broke them on the ground.

Several students and staff were contaminated with the mercury. BCFD escorted those contaminated to their technical decon unit and allowed them to change out of their clothes.

The school remained closed while Maryland Department of the Environment and private clean up contractors worked to remove the mercury.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 31, 2010 • Filed under: command-leadership, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: BCFD, hazmat, hazmat team, mercury

Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Death of three maryland men

Photo by Washington Post

PGFD Chief Spokesman Mark Brady released the following:

Prince George’s County Firefighters and Paramedics made a disturbing discovery in a Hyattsville home after responding to a possible carbon monoxide (CO) incident this morning. At about 9:00 am, Sunday, May 30, 2010, Fire/EMS units responded to a 2-story, with basement, single family home in the 5600 block of 38th Avenue. Firefighter/Medics arrived and conducted a search of the home for victims and for the source of the CO. Three male victims were quickly located on the second floor and after a medical assessment were determined to be deceased. The males ranged in age from 18 to 22.

Firefighters also located a running gasoline powered generator in the basement of the house. The house did not have any electric service. The generator was turned off by firefighters and an atmospheric test determined there were upwards of 300 parts per million (PPM) of CO inside the home.

Click HERE to read the Washington Post Coverage article on the incident.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 31, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: CO, hazmat, PGFD

1 Person Critical after Iodine Pentaflouride spill. 4 Firefighters treated for Exposure at “EMS” Call

Workers were attempting to clean out tank truck when one persons was severely burned by chemical on the arms and chest. Firefighters, responding to an EMS call, entered the building and encountered a chemical vapor cloud. They were able to remove the victim and other employees in the area. Nine people, including four firefighters were transported to the hospital. Click more to read the full story and see the video. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 29, 2010 • Filed under: ems-health-safety, ems-topics, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations, videos • Tagged: hazardous materials, hazmat, hazmat team, HF, tank truck

Acrylonitrile Leaks While Truck Driver Sleeps

A truck stop was shut down the truck stop for hours as officials cleaned up the spill. A gas station employee was treated for chemical exposure, and a firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 26, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat team, tanker truck

3 Firefighters and 1 Worker transported from Hazmat scene. Firefighters mistake chemical cloud for smoke

Photo by Cole Cosgrove

Photo by Cole Cosgrove

Lakewood, Washington firefighters responded to a fire alarm in a two story office building arond noon today. Upon entering the building, firefighters noticed a white haze they mistakenly thought was smoke.

Shortly after entering, the firefighters began to feel ill and exited the building. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 23, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, hazmat, in-the-line-of-duty, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations • Tagged: chemical plume, chemical reaction, hazmat, hazmat team, sick building

Derailment dumps 3,000 gallons diesel

Photo by Jim Hudelson / The Shreveport Times

Photo by Jim Hudelson / The Shreveport Times

Two engines, pulling 14 train cars loaded with GM vehicles, derailed in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. According to the Shreveport times, 3,000 gallons of diesel leaked into a nearby ditch. The Caddo hazmat team and the Louisiana Department of the Environment responded.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 23, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: derailment, flammable liquid, hazmat, hazmat team

Hazmat called when fire breaks out in a box trailer

Photo by Carol Hopkins / Oakland Press

Photo by Carol Hopkins / Oakland Press

A hazmat team was called in to assist Pontiac firefighters when a trailer containing 18,000 pounds of batteries caught fire. Firefighters used foam to knock down the fire and controlled the runoff. Initial responding firefighters were sent to the hospital to be evaluated as precaution. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 15, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, hazmat, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat fire, hazmat team

Hazards of Nitrogen Asphyxiation

Nitrogen is suspected in a recent incident in Ohio that took the life of a city maintenance worker and proved to be a close call for (3) Middleton firefighters. The Chemical Safety Board previously released an excellent video on the hazards of nitrogen asphyxiation.

Many responders do not realize that nitrogen gas poses a danger to responders OUTSIDE a tank or confined space.

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 9, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, hazmat, news, patient-management, rescues, special-operations, videos • Tagged: air monitoring, confined space rescue, hazmat, technical rescue

Georgia Chemical Plant Catches Fire

No one was injured Sunday afternoon when a fire broke out at a chemical plant off Abutment Road in Dalton, Georgia, officials said. Just after 1 p.m., 911 began receiving calls from several people who reported hearing explosions coming from the Polystar Chemical plant on Brookhollow Industrial Blvd. No one was in the building when the fire began, fire officials said. (more…)

Posted by Gary Sharp on May 5, 2010 • Filed under: fires, hazmat, special-operations • Tagged: chemical fire, hazmat

Seattle Hazmat Responds to Bromine Vapors at College Chemistry Building

UW Level A

Photo by Joshua Trujillo, SeattlePI.com

The Seattle Fire Department Hazmat Team was called to the chemistry building at the University of Washington when several students felt ill. The building was evacuated, and SFD hazmat technicians conducted a level A entry.

The fire department says no spill or leak occurred, but that 3 students were exposed to bromine vapors. No one was transported to the hosptial.

UW Evac

Photo by Joshua Trujillo, SeattlePI.com

Posted by Gary Sharp on April 25, 2010 • Filed under: ems-topics, hazmat, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: hazmat, hazmat team, level A

New Method of Decon: Lasers

A laser focused on a piece of contaminated concrete creates a green flame as it vaporizes the chemicals. Photo by INL

A laser focused on a piece of contaminated concrete creates a green flame as it vaporizes the chemicals. Photo by INL

Most hazmat teams use soap and water as their standard method of decontamination. In the case of a major hazmat or WMD attack, scientists are looking for a more effective decon method for affected buildings and critical infrastructure. Popular Science magazine has an interesting article about research underway at the Idaho National Laboratory using lasers as a new decon method. Click here to read the story.

Posted by Gary Sharp on April 21, 2010 • Filed under: hazmat, major-incidents, special-operations • Tagged: decon, hazardous materials, hazmat, hazmat team, WMD

Spill at Long Island hospital injures 6 and causes partial evacuation

WPIX TV reports:

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (WPIX) – At least six employees have been injured after a hazardous materials situation developed at a hospital on Long Island.

A concentrated industrial cleaner spilled in the basement of one of the buildings on the campus of South Oaks Hospital and fumes spread Monday morning at about 8:30 a.m., according to the Amityville Police Department.

PIX’s Air 11 was over the scene where various fire departments in the surrounding communities including East Farmingdale and North Lindenhurst responded.

The victims, who suffered from inhalation of the fumes, were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip.

South Oaks Hospital web site states that it offers services for mental health issues and addiction.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

Posted by Gary Sharp on April 20, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, mass-casualty-incident, news, patient-management, special-operations • Tagged: chemical spill, hazmat, hazmat team

37 Cars Derail in Ohio, Denatured Alcohol Spills

Photo by wane.com

Photo by wane.com

According to the Williams County Emergency Management Agency, 37 cars derailed in Edgerton, Ohio around 9:15 a.m. Multiple cars are leaking denatured alcohol. No was injured, but a hazmat team was called in when they learned several of the cars were leaking denatured alcohol. This is the third derailment for this year.

Posted by Gary Sharp on April 20, 2010 • Filed under: fire-rescue-topics, hazmat, news, special-operations • Tagged: derailment, flammable liquid, hazmat, hazmat team